Sometimes it’s interesting to try an author you’ve heard a lot of good things about. J.T. Geissinger was one of those authors for me. I finally sat down and read Blackthorn and it was a wild ride. Today I want to tell you about this book and what I thought!
A big thank you to Netgalley and Bramble for providing me with an ALC to read and review.
You never forget your first love. Especially when he’s also your worst nightmare.
Twelve years ago, Maven Blackthorn fled her small hometown, leaving behind the wreckage of her mother’s suspicious death. But now, drawn back for her grandmother’s funeral, Maven steps onto Blackthorn soil once more, only to find herself thrust into a fresh nightmare: her grandmother’s body has vanished.
The Blackthorns immediately suspect the Crofts—the ruthless titans of Croft Pharmaceuticals, whose bitter blood feud with the Blackthorns has spanned generations. But when Maven comes face-to-face with Ronan Croft, the son of her mother’s suspected killer and the only man she ever loved, she discovers the forbidden passion they once shared is as alive—and dangerous—as ever.
As long-buried family secrets claw their way to the surface, betrayal lurks behind every whisper, and old vendettas ignite anew. The deeper Maven digs for answers, the more treacherous the game becomes. And the one man she can never seem to escape is hiding a truth that could burn their whole world down.
In a town where the dead won’t stay buried, is love salvation…or the deadliest game of all?
Review
After reading Blackthorn, I’m wondering why it took me so long to read something by J.T. Geissinger. I finished Blackthorn a few days ago and it’s one I keep thinking about. All I can really say is that this book is a fever dream. I still couldn’t tell you what actually happened. Normally that bugs me in books, but it also seemed very fitting for Maven’s story.
I love books with small towns that feel a bit dark, curses, and lots of family secrets. Add a little romance and you have me sold. Ronan was such a mysterious man and his family curse is something I wanted to know just a bit more about. This would’ve been a five star read for me if we had just a few more chapters from his POV.
Blackthorn is a book I don’t want to say too much about, because it’s one you just need to experience and not have a lot of background information. I am happy that I decided to go for the audiobook, because the narrators were truly amazing. They brought this story and characters to life and I definitely want to listen to more audiobooks with Connor Crais, Tara Langella, and Veronice Pace.
Blackthorn was my first J.T. Geissinger book, but it definitely won’t be my last. If you’ve read something by this author, let me know what I should read next. I’d love to hear from you!
